Device for gathering and containment of hair setting solutions

ABSTRACT

A device for capturing and containing hair setting solution running off of hair rollers having an elongated hollow cylindrical body with a plug at an end thereof, an upwardly curved flat portion to fit the underside of a hair roller, a left and right upwardly curved side to fit around the left and right ends of a hair roller, and a depression located centrally along the device for channeling runoff solution into the elongated hollow cylindrical body.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a device for gathering andcontaining chemical hair solutions. More particularly, the presentinvention relates to a device comprising an elongated hollow cylindricalbody having a plug affixed at an end thereof, the opposite (non-plug)end of the handle flaring outwardly in a curved fashion and beingprovided with an upwardly curved edge designed to correspond with theunderside of a hair roller and raised portions on either end thereofwhich curve in an upward manner, the curved portion tapering in adownward fashion from the topmost rounded edge and curving inwardly toform a funnel-like shape, which funnel-like shape continues downwardlyto form a hollow cylindrical body.

[0003] The present invention is designed for use by beauticians duringthe process of creating the “permanent” or “permanent wave” hairstyle.When a patron desires to have a permanent wave procedure, the patron'shair is divided into small sections which are then rolled tightly ontoplastic hair rollers. Once all the hair rollers are firmly in place, achemical solution is applied individually to each roller to destroybonds within the hair follicles, permitting the hair to take on a newstructure conforming to the rolled position. This chemical solutionfrequently runs down the head of the patron and is captured by a cottonband which is applied around the face and scalp perimeter of the patronprior to application of the chemicals. However, this cotton band is notalways successful in capturing all of the chemical “runoff” and,consequently, the patron may be burned by the chemicals when the facialarea or neck area is contacted. The present invention is intended toprevent chemical burns by capturing the chemical runoff upon applicationto each individual hair roller, such that excess chemical solution willrun down from the topmost rounded edge, through the funnel-like portion,and into the handle of the device, where it will be captured and helduntil such time as the beautician pours it into a receptacle.

[0004] 2. The Prior Art

[0005] There are a number of patents that relate to devices for catchingliquids involved in hair care of some type. However, these devicesinvolve attachment to a patron's head in the form of a visor orwrap-around device to prevent runoff solution from contacting thepatron's face which may result in a chemical burn. It is believed to benovel to provide a device for capturing the runoff solution before itcontacts a patron's scalp, thereby preventing runoff and subsequentchemical burns. A preliminary patentability search was conducted on thisinvention and the following listed references were uncovered in thesearch:

[0006] Publication No. U.S. 2002/0,129,831 A1 to Kelly, published Sep.19, 2002; Patent No. Name Date 2,182,464 Blackstone Jul. 19, 19386,412,842 B1 Winston Jul. 2, 2002 6,279,781 B1 Konar Aug. 28, 20015,940,885 Matthews Aug. 24, 1999 5,655,551 Knight Aug. 12, 19975,023,963 Vogel Jun. 18, 1991 4 872,594 Bloom Oct. 10, 1989 4,481,680Mason, et al. Nov. 13, 1984 4,091,599 Lemieux May 30, 1978 3,731,325Guarrasi May 8, 1973 2,451,653 Bazelon Oct. 19, 1948 Des. 389,498 LarsonJan. 20, 1998 Des. 303,040 Paone Aug. 29, 1989 Des. 301,930 Cantu Jun.27, 1989 Des. 111,961 Farber Nov. 1, 1938

[0007] The above references relating to hair care devices are notconsidered to be particularly pertinent to the present invention. Theabove references also include a number of patents which are somewhatsimilar in shape to the present invention but which do not relate tohair care whatsoever. Rather, they are designed for use in coinpackaging.

[0008] Blackstone U.S. Pat. No. 2,182,464 shows a device for packagingloose coins into a wrapper by means of a funnel-shaped trough with aflat bottom portion attached to an elliptical handle having an open endthereon. The open end and the angle of that end are critical to thisdisclosure to permit the coins to enter at an angle to ease the processof getting the coins fitted into the wrapper.

[0009] The present invention comprises a funnel-shaped trough having achannel therein, which channel slopes both downwardly and inwardly so asto come to a point at the center thereof at about the same point wherethe handle of the device begins to take shape. The handle is cylindricalin shape, rather than the elliptical shape set forth in Blackstone, forthe comfort of a beautician who uses the device. Finally, the presentinvention has a closed end to the handle so that the solution iscontained inside the handle until the beautician pours it into areceptacle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The present invention comprises an elongated hollow cylindricalbody having a plug affixed at an end thereof, an opposite (non-plug) endof the handle expanding outwardly in a curved fashion to engage thelower portion of a hair roller such as would be used for givingpermanent waves, the curved upper portion of the device having a roundededge which corresponds with the underside of a rounded hair roller andhaving raised portions on either end thereof which curve in an upwardmanner around the outer edges of a hair roller such that the curvedupper portion of the device will fully cover the underside of a hairroller when the hair roller is disposed horizontally, the curved upperportion tapering down from the topmost rounded edge and curving inwardlyuntil a funnel-like shape is achieved, which funnel-like shape continuesdownwardly to form a hollow cylindrical body having a plug affixedthereon.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011]FIG. 1 is a three-quarter view of the device of the presentinvention.

[0012]FIG. 2 is a front view of the device of the present invention.

[0013]FIG. 3 is a front view of the device of the present inventionemployed in conjunction with a hair roller and setting solution bottle.

[0014]FIG. 4 is a three-quarter view of the device of the presentinvention employed in conjunction with a hair roller and settingsolution bottle.

[0015]FIG. 5 is a side view of the device of the present invention.

[0016]FIG. 6 is an enlarged view similar to that of FIG. 3 showing thepath of solution as channeled and collected by the device of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] Referring to the drawings in detail, FIG. 1 shows a three-quarterview of a device for capturing and containing runoff hair settingsolution 10 having an elongated hollow cylindrical body 12 which flaresoutwardly to form a left side and a right side 16 and a straight edge 14at the uppermost portion thereof. The device is further provided with adepression 18. The hollow cylindrical body 12 is designed to fitcomfortably into the hand of the user 26.

[0018]FIG. 2 is a front view which is essentially the same as that shownin FIG. 1, but wherein the plug 20 affixed to the lower end is visible.

[0019]FIG. 3 is a front view of a device for capturing and containingrunoff hair setting solution 10 showing the device in conjunction withhair rollers 22 and a solution applicator bottle 24. The device 10 isheld by the user 26 by gripping the elongated hollow cylindrical body 12and placing the straight upper edge 14 against the head of the patron 28and fitting the roller 22 between the left and right sides 16 of thedevice such that the underside and ends of the hair roller are fullycontained within the boundaries of the device. When the applicatorbottle 24 dispenses the hair setting solution (see FIG. 6), the solutionwill run off the hair roller 22 and into the depression 18 in thedevice. The curved left and right sides 16 and the upwardly curvedstraight portion 14 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) cooperate to channel the hairsetting solution toward the depression 18 after which the solution isdirected downward into the elongated hollow cylindrical body 12 andcaptured and contained therein by means of the sides of the elongatedhollow cylindrical body 12 and the plug 20.

[0020]FIG. 4 is a one-quarter view which is essentially the same as thatshown in FIG. 3 but showing another perspective of the device employedin use.

[0021]FIG. 5 is a side view of a device for capturing and containingrunoff hair setting solution 10 showing the left side elevation of theelongated hollow cylindrical body 12, a left side 16 thereof and apartial view of the right side 16, a straight edge 14 at the uppermostportion thereof, and the underside of the depression 18.

[0022]FIG. 6 is an enlarged view similar to that depicted in FIG. 3showing the path taken by the hair setting solution 30 as it leaves theapplicator bottle 24, travels down the straight upper portion 14 andcurved sides 16 toward the depression 18 and into the elongated hollowcylindrical body 12 of the device 10.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device for gathering and containing excessliquid solutions running off hair rollers comprising a hollow elongatedcylindrical body having an upper end, a central section, and a lowerend, a plug affixed at the lower end, the upper end of the cylindricalbody being flared outwardly and terminating in a straight edge at theupper end thereof, the central portion and upper end of the devicehaving a left side and a right side, which sides are curved in an upwardmanner to receive a hair roller between the left and right sides therebycausing the underside of the hair roller to be surrounded, the centralportion being further provided with a depression located therein tofunnel excess solution into the hollow cylindrical body.
 2. A device forgathering and containing excess liquid solutions running off hairrollers as set forth in claim 1 wherein the straight edge at the upperend is curved in an upward manner to allow the edge to bear against theunderside of a hair roller.
 3. A device for gathering and containingexcess liquid solutions running off hair rollers as set forth in claim 1wherein the left and right side portions of the upper section of thedevice are curved such that each side portion corresponds to an end of ahair roller to allow the ends of the hair roller to be contained withinthe boundaries of the device.